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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 9:18am | IP Logged
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I know many people have posted about this great idea in the past, but I wanted to remind everyone about, since Advent starts Sunday 
A really fun and easy way to celebrate Advent with picture books is to wrap up a book for each night (so you'd wrap 24 books). Each night a family member can pick one book to unwrap and read together.
This is so easy because:
You can wrap up the books you *already have* or even books from the library. (I went last Saturday and scouted out the Christmas book display to for ideas).
And
the wrapping need not be fancy. I use plain white paper (this year I used up odds and ends of wrapping paper by using the blank side facing out, with the print facing in). Then I used a roll of dollar store purple to put a simple purple cross on each white cover. I think last year I just used a purple marker to draw on simple bows.
There was really no investment for me but time. And my kids LOVE this every year.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Paula in MN
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We did the wrapping last year but my dh was mighty upset at my use of wrapping paper. 
So, yesterday we wrote each book title and movie title down on a slip of construction paper and made a reading chain. Every morning the kids will open the next link so we will know what book or movie will be featured that evening. This also gives me time to prepare any special activities. The kids counted and realized that we have 92 links on our chain, so either we will open more links each day or end in time for Lent. 
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 Paula
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Chari
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we wrapped the books one year....but, it was so time consuming......and I have WAAAAY more than 24 books 
so, we solved that problem by leaving the box of Christmas books in the garage......and I bring in 2-5 each morning or evening.....and the youngest can pick a book for the read aloud for the day, if we only have time for one.......and then they peruse the rest during the day
saves on paper, time......yet the element of suprise is still present
hope that helps, Paula!
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Marcia
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What about using fabric? and then tying with string? Some fabric can be made longer to tie into a bow. This can be used year after year after year. And Christmas/Advent fabric is cheap at those box stores. Four different kinds of fabric in purple shades would be just as nice.
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happymama
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Wow, I love these ideas, but 24 books for Advent?! Are you including Christmas books?
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Chari
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Fabric sounds like a good and useful idea! Thanks!
I used to keep all the Christmas books for use after Christmas...only to find that every year.....we were way too busy to do the books justice.....I found that frustrating and disappointing...so...
about 8 years ago...I switched and started using my Christmas books for Advent.......and found the younger children were better able to understand what Christmas was all about through the use of the books....which is about how we learn everything around here
I am glad I changed it.....now the kids have so many old friends when those books come out.......they have finally connected to them
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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SeaStar
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Another option: pillow cases. You could buy a few and put six books each in four pillow cases. Then let the kids take turns putting an arm in each night and pulling out a book. That way there would still be the element of surprise and the fun of pulling one out by feel without the time spent wrapping them all up.
Hmm... I might try that for next year 
Another option: save all your brown packing paper from boxes throughout the year and use that to wrap. Free source of paper, plus you can recycle it (I believe).
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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DominaCaeli
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SeaStar wrote:
| Another option: pillow cases. You could buy a few and put six books each in four pillow cases. Then let the kids take turns putting an arm in each night and pulling out a book. That way there would still be the element of surprise and the fun of pulling one out by feel without the time spent wrapping them all up. |
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I have done something like this, but I put a week's worth of books in and allow the child to choose, eyes closed. This also allows me to group the books by week, so I do have some control over which ones get read when. Anyway, you can definitely get the surprise element without using all that extra wrapping paper!
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Paula in MN
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I was reading the pillow case idea and thought it was great, and then realized I could just blindfold the kids and have them pick one. But that's for next year...
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 24 2009 at 7:49pm | IP Logged
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I was thinking that three of the pillow cases could be purple and one pink, for each week in Advent. And if you have never sewn a pillow case, it is SO EASY you can't believe it. Pick out some cute fabric and sew a rectangle, leaving one end open. Pillow cases from fun fabric are also a great frugal gift idea. My dc love them.
The blindfold idea would also be a great hit here.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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SeaStar
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happymama wrote:
| Wow, I love these ideas, but 24 books for Advent?! Are you including Christmas books? |
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This is just how I do it...
I wrap up 24 books that have an Advent or Christmas theme. We do seem to be very heavy on nativity stories right now . I am slowly building up my collection, adding other stories as I can find them cheaply. I will be watching the top ten Advent book thread closely for more ideas!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Erin
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Jenn has a neat idea, Alphabet Advent, similar concept.
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4Real Forums : Picture Book Discoveries
Topic: Don't forget your Advent Basket!
